Carrying Device

ABSTRACT

A carrying device includes a generally planar framework and a plurality of straps coupled to the framework. At least two of the plurality of straps extend horizontally across the framework, and at least another two of the plurality of straps extend vertically across the framework, wherein each of the at least two horizontally extending straps intersects each of the at least two vertically extending straps. Further, each of the plurality of straps includes a loop, and each loop comprises two opposing vortices, the opposing vortices extending away from a perimeter of the framework thereby defining a pair of spaced apart handles.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part application that claims thepriority of Non-provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 16/446,016filed Jun. 19, 2019 titled CARRYING DEVICE and which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to carrying devices and, moreparticularly, to a carrying device having a support system that includesmultiple straps and a flexible framework coupled to the support systemof straps for carrying heavy or awkward loads.

Often, articles of irregular shape or simply a multitude of smallerobjects need to be moved from one location to another, such as needingto move one pile of objects from one location to another within anindustrial facility, storage locker, basement, garage, or the like. Aquick and convenient device to move such objects is needed.

Various devices exist to assist in the transport of heavy objects suchas equipment, boxes, furniture, and the like. Devices such as dollies,carts, shelves on wheels, forklifts, and the like, may be used to moveheavy loads. Unfortunately, these devices are often themselves heavy anddifficult to maneuver, only adding to the frustration of moving theobject. Further, heavy moving devices may be difficult to store when notin use.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a carrying device that includeda network of horizontal and vertical straps coupled to a flexible,planar, and rectangular substrate that is useful for supportingmiscellaneous articles being moved between two locations. Further, itwould be desirable to have a carrying device that is lightweight andinexpensive yet durable and easy to maneuver. In addition, it would bedesirable to have a carrying device having spaced apart handles thatenable multiple persons to grasp and carry the carrying device whenloaded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A carrying device according to the present invention includes agenerally planar framework and a plurality of straps coupled to theframework. At least two of the plurality of straps extend horizontallyacross the framework, and at least another two of the plurality ofstraps extend vertically across the framework, wherein each of the atleast two horizontally extending straps intersects each of the at leasttwo vertically extending straps. Further, each of the plurality ofstraps includes a loop, and each loop comprises two opposing vortices,the opposing vortices extending away from a perimeter of the frameworkthereby defining a pair of spaced apart handles.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a carryingdevice that is itself lightweight and includes a system of straps andflexible framework to lift and move multiple articles with ease.

Another object of this invention is to provide a carrying device, asaforesaid, having a pair of layers configured to be slid across roughfloor surfaces while at the same time maintaining flexibility associatedwith carrying irregular loads in a warehouse or shop environment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a carrying device, asaforesaid, that may include an area rug fixedly coupled to a system orgrid of horizontal and vertical straps.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a carrying device,as aforesaid, having a plurality of handles spaced apart about arectangular substrate that enable multiple persons to carry the carryingdevice in use.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a carrying device, asaforesaid, that is inexpensive to produce.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration andexample, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a carrying device according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the carrying device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is still another perspective view of the carrying device of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is yet another perspective view of the carrying device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the carrying device of FIG. 1 showing theflexibility of the carrying device.

FIG. 6 is enlarged perspective view of the carrying device of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A carrying device according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 of theaccompanying drawings. Embodiments of carrying devices which may beinexpensive to manufacture and light weight, yet configured to easilycarry heavy loads, are disclosed herein.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a carrying device 100 according to embodiments ofthe invention. The carrying device 100 generally includes asubstantially planar framework 105 coupled to a support system 115 (FIG.6) for lifting and transporting heavy objects.

In an embodiment, the substantially planar framework 105 may include asingle substrate layer 108. The substrate layer 108 may be any materialcapable of maintaining its integrity while carrying large loads.Preferably, the substrate layer 108 is a heavy, yet flexible material.FIG. 5 illustrates the flexibility of the substrate layer 108.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrying device 100 includes two layersof material so as to achieve the critical objects of the invention,namely to maintain flexibility and prevent damage to an object beingtransmitted while, at the same time, to be robust to slide or skid alonga rough floor surface. More particularly, the substrate layer 108 may bea heavy woven textile material, such as wool, cotton, canvas, naturalfibers (e.g., grasses), leather, synthetic fibers (e.g., nylon, viscose,polypropylene, et cetera), and the like. In embodiments, the substratelayer 108 is porous, allowing fluids to flow through the layer 108.However, the pores in the substrate layer 108, if any, may be configuredto prevent even the smallest of articles from falling through thesubstrate layer 108 during transport.

The framework 105 may further include a backing layer 110 (FIG. 4)coupled to the substrate layer 108. The backing layer 110 is constructedof a material that is different from that of the substrate layer 108. Inan embodiment, the backing layer 110 is a canvas or leather materialconfigured to withstand sliding along a floor surface without beingdamaged. Like the substrate layer 110, it may be preferable for thebacking layer 110 to be porous to allow fluids to escape through thelayer 110.

Preferably, the backing layer 110 is laminated to the substrate layer108 although the layers may be sewn, glued, or otherwise coupledtogether. Laminating refers to manufacturing process through which twoor more flexible packaging layers are joined together using a bondingagent. The substrates making up the layers may consist of films, papers,or aluminum foils. In general terms an adhesive is applied to the lessabsorbent substrate web, after which the second web is pressed againstit to produce a duplex, or two-layer, laminate. Laminating machinery canbe classified according to the type of bonding agent used to produce thelaminates. More particularly, wet lamination is where the bonding agentis still in a liquid state when the layers of materials are joinedtogether. It is commonly used to produce a paper-aluminum foil laminatethat is widely used in flexible packaging. Dry lamination is where thebonding agent, dissolved into a liquid (water or a solvent), is appliedto one of the layers, before being evaporated in a drying oven. Theadhesive coated layer is laminated to the other under strong pressureand using heated rollers, which improves the bond strength of thelaminate.

In some embodiments, the framework 105 is rectangular. However, theframework 105 may have any desirable shape. Regardless of the shape ofthe framework 105, a vertical axis 140 runs longitudinally through thecenter of the framework 105. A horizontal axis 145 runs laterallythrough the center of the framework 105. As will be described in greaterdetail below, the support system 115 may be coupled to the framework 105such that a portion of the support system 115 is provided on both sidesof the vertical axis 140 and/or on both sides of the horizontal axis145.

The support system 115 includes a plurality of straps 120 coupled to theframework 105 to provide strength to the carrying device 100, anddefining handles 124 for lifting the carrying device 100. In someembodiments, each strap 120 is configured as a continuous loop. Eachloop 120 includes respective vortices 122 at opposing ends thereof. Thevortices 122 extend away from a perimeter of the substrate layer 108 toform handles 124. The handles 124 may further include a handle grip 126,such as a silicone grip, to further aid a user in lifting the carryingdevice 100 via the handles 124. Where the strap 120 is configured as aloop, the vortices 122 forming the handles 124 extend beyond thesubstrate 108. The remaining portion 128 of the loop 120 (e.g., thelengths 128) extend across the substrate 108 and are coupled (e.g.,sewn, riveted, adhere, or otherwise coupled) directly to the framework105.

Where the framework 105 includes a backing layer 110, one or moreportions of the respective straps 120 may be coupled to one or both ofthe substrate 108 and the backing layer 110. In some embodiments, one orall of the respective straps 120 may be disposed between the substratelayer 108 and the backing layer 110. In some embodiments, one or morestraps 120 may be joined to the substrate layer 108 prior to the backinglayer 110 being joined to the substrate layer 108, such that the straps120 are disposed between the respective layers 108 and 110 yet are onlyjoined to the substrate layer 108. In other embodiments, one or morestraps 120 may be disposed between the respective layers 108 and 110,and then subsequently joined to both layers 108 and 110. In still otherembodiments, some straps 120 may be joined to the substrate layer 108only, while other straps 120 are joined to both the substrate layer 108and the backing layer 110. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the straps 120 aredisposed atop the substrate layer 108. However, at least a portion of astrap 120 may also be sewn to the backing layer 110 (if any) along alength of the strap 120. Further, a portion of the strap 120 may be sewnto the backing layer 110 at the intersection of the strap 120 with theperimeter of the framework 105.

In some embodiments, the strap 120 may not be configured as a continuousloop. In such embodiments, the strap 120 includes a pair of separate,spaced apart lengths 128 of material having a first end 121 a and asecond end 121 b (FIG. 6). The lengths 128 extend, either horizontallyor vertically as the case may be, across the framework 105 as describedabove such that the respective ends 121 a and 121 b meet at respectiveopposing edges of the perimeter of the framework 105. Each length 128may be sewn or otherwise coupled to the framework 105.

Each strap 120 may additionally include a pair of separate handles 124configured for attachment to each end of the pair of lengths 128. Eachhandle 124 has respective ends for coupling the handle 124 to theframework 105. In some embodiments, the ends of the handle 124 mayoverlap with the respective ends (e.g., 121 a or 121 b) of the pair oflengths 128 when coupled to the framework 105. For example, a first endof one of the handles 124 may overlap the end 121 b of one of the pairof lengths 128, and the second end of the handle 124 may overlap the end121 b of the other of the pair of lengths 128. Similarly, a first end ofthe other handle 124 may overlap the end 121 a of one of the pair oflengths 128, and the second end of the handle 124 may overlap the end121 a of the other of the pair lengths 128. Thus, each strap 120includes a pair of spaced apart lengths 128 and a pair of spaced aparthandles 124.

Where the ends of the handle 124 do not overlap the respective ends 121a and 121 b, the lengths 128 may not extend all the way to the perimeterof the framework 105, allowing room for the ends of the respectivehandles 124 to be coupled to the framework 105.

The straps 120 are positioned such that at least one strap 120 extendsvertically across the framework 105 parallel to the vertical axis 140,and at least one strap 120 extends horizontally across the framework 105parallel to the horizontal axis 145. In some embodiments, a first strap120 extends vertically across the framework 105 parallel to the verticalaxis 140 at one side of the vertical axis 140, while a second strap 120extends vertically across the framework 105 parallel to the verticalaxis 140 at an opposing side of the vertical axis 140.

Likewise, in some embodiments, a first strap 120 extends horizontallyacross the framework 105 parallel to the horizontal axis 145 at one sideof the horizontal axis 145, while a second strap 120 extendshorizontally across the framework 105 parallel to the horizontal axis145 at an opposing side of the horizontal axis 145. In still otherembodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, two straps 120 extendhorizontally across the framework 105 parallel to the horizontal axis145 at one side of the horizontal axis 145, while two additional straps120 extend horizontally across the framework 105 parallel to thehorizontal axis 145 at an opposing side of the horizontal axis 145. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 1, a total of six straps 120 are coupled to theframework 105, resulting in a total of twelve handles 124 being disposedaround the perimeter of the framework 105.

The straps 120 can be made of any appropriate material that is strong,yet flexible. Exemplary materials include woven textile material, suchas wool, cotton, canvas, natural fibers (e.g., grasses), leather,synthetic fibers (e.g., nylon, viscose, polypropylene, et cetera), andthe like.

In some embodiments, a border 135 may be coupled around the perimeter ofthe framework 105, as shown in FIG. 1. The border 135 may be the samematerial as the substrate 108 and/or the backing layer 110 (if any), orit may be any other appropriate material. The border 135 may be coupledto the framework 105 by sewing the border 135 thereto, or using anyother coupling method, including those coupling methods described above.The border 135 may be joined to the framework 105 such that the border135 overlies the straps 120 (and/or the ends of the handles 124, as thecase may be). Thus, the border 135 may further help to secure the straps120 to the framework 105.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have beenillustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar assuch limitations are included in the following claims and allowablefunctional equivalents thereof.

1. A carrying device, comprising: a generally planar framework; and aplurality of straps coupled to said framework, at least two of saidplurality of straps extending horizontally across said framework, and atleast another two of said plurality of straps extending verticallyacross said framework, wherein each of said at least two horizontallyextending straps intersects each of said at least two verticallyextending straps; wherein each of said plurality of straps comprises aloop, and each loop comprises two opposing vortices, said opposingvortices extending away from a perimeter of said framework therebydefining a pair of spaced apart handles; wherein said framework includesa substrate layer that is flexible and a backing layer coupled to thesubstrate layer via lamination, said substrate layer being constructedof a woven material that is porous and said backing layer beingconstructed of canvas and operable for sliding; wherein said pluralityof straps comprises two straps extending vertically across saidframework, and four straps extending horizontally across said framework,said horizontally extending straps intersecting said verticallyextending straps; and wherein said straps form twelve handles disposedaround a perimeter of said framework.
 2. The carrying device as in claim1, wherein each pore is configured to stop solid articles from passingtherethrough.
 3. The carrying device as in claim 1, wherein backinglayer is bonded to said substrate later using dry lamination.
 4. Thecarrying device as in claim 1, wherein each of said spaced apart handlesincludes a grip.
 5. The carrying device of claim 1, further comprising aborder coupled to a perimeter of said framework, wherein said borderoverlaps a portion of each of said straps.
 6. The carrying device ofclaim 5, wherein said straps and said border are sewn to said framework.7. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein said framework is generallyrectangular.